Another chapter full of smut... but it's ok... it's all leading up to the good stuff...

Chapter 20 - The Best Christmas Ever

The days passed by and before the group knew it, Christmas Eve rolled around. Delilah had returned from her trip and was invited to the family dinner, as Tyler's girlfriend. Ever rushed around the Garwin Manor hunting for the perfect thing to wear for the exquisite dinner she was sure they were going to have.

She opted for her new bubble-skirt, it was made of a nude satin with a shimmer black lace over it, and she paired it with a sleek black satin halter top and a pair of peep-toe black pumps. She had Declan dressed in an adorable green collared shirt with a graphic on the side, and black J Brand jeans.

She hadn't seen him most of the day; Meredith had taken him out for a stroll showing him off to the neighbors. A small smile placed its self on her face just thinking of the older woman and her attachment to the small child.

"Reid?" She called her boyfriend's name out in question.

"Yeah Ever?" Reid asked from his room he was pulling on the baby blue button up shirt he was wearing that night.

"Have you seen my jacket?" She questioned a bit confused.

"The one you wore the other night?" He asked.

"Yep," She asked standing in his doorway now.

"I think it's downsta-" He cut himself off, he had just turned around to look at her and was speechless. She looked too good for words.

The bruises on her face were light enough now to be covered up with some concealer and foundation, her hair was pulled back in to a messy but cute up-do. She grinned seeing his reaction and did a playful turn for him revealing the back of her outfit, the black satin halter top dipped low in the back revealing a few small bruises but nothing you would know by a sudden glance.

"You look fantastic…" He stated moving towards her.

"As do you," She laughed as he kissed her hard on the lips. "But I don't have to tell you that…" She grinned.

"I think this is going to be the first Christmas Eve dinner where each of us guys has a date…" He smirked as he buttoned his last button.

"Oh really, and how many of your ex-girlfriends got the pleasure of going to the Sons of Ipswich Christmas Eve dinner?" She asked eyeing him carefully.

"Believe it or not, you're the first…" He shrugged his shoulders. "No girl was worth taking to this wonderful event…" He scrunched his nose up thinking.

"Not even… her?" Ever asked taking his right hand in hers.

"Not even her…." Reid shook his head.

"Hmmm, what about the other guys?" Ever asked glancing down at her fingernails; she had carefully painted them the night before a deep red hue.

"Pogue has brought Kate for the last two years…" Reid remembered walking over to his vanity and looking at himself in the mirror. He pulled his tie off of the coat hanger and placed it around his neck. "Caleb, I don't think he's every brought a girl and neither has Tyler…"

He fidgeted with it a bit until Ever walked over to him and propped herself up on to the vanity. She placed one leg on either side of the boy and pulled at his tie, looping it through itself and pulling it quickly.

"Lucky year," She whispered adjusting the tie so that it was straight and aligned correctly. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and he looked down at the tie.

"Where'd you learn to do that?" He asked her.

"My adoptive father…" She grinned. "I use to watch him get ready for work when I was younger and he taught me how to tie his ties for him…" She shrugged, smiling at the memory.

"I see," He smiled placing his hands on her hips.

"This is very, 'Pretty Woman'" She exclaimed with a sly smirk on her face.

"Except you're not some hooker I picked up on Hollywood Boulevard…" He cocked an eyebrow at her.

"True," She nodded and shook her head. "That is one of my favorite movies…" She revealed.

"It was a rather good movie, wasn't it?" He asked placing a kiss on her bare shoulder.

"It was," She agreed.

They sat like this for a few moments, just enjoying the silence between the two.

"Ever! Reid! Are you ready?" His mother's voice called from downstairs.

"We'll be down in a moment," Reid yelled back holding Ever up by the waist and pulling her off of his vanity.

He placed her back down on her two feet; she placed a kiss on his pink lips and left the room as he picked up his black jacket. She descended down the stairs seeing Meredith holding Declan and her jacket.

She grinned taking the velvet jacket from the older woman, "Thank you Meredith," She smiled slipping the coat on. "Do you want me to take him?" She asked.

"Don't be silly," Meredith grinned hoisting the boy a bit further up on her hip.

Reid came jogging down the stairs placing a kiss on his mother's cheek and on Declan's before his arms claimed Ever's waist. She let out a small laugh as they made their way to Meredith's car, they piled in fastening Declan in to the car seat Meredith decided to let Reid drive as Ever took a seat in the back.

They arrived at the Danvers Manor and Ever glanced up at the large house, "Wow…" She muttered it was impressive.

"Pretty nice, huh?" Reid asked as she pulled Declan out of his car seat.

"Yeah," She nodded her head. "Does Caleb's mother know about…" Ever trailed off not really wanting to continue.

"Caleb gave her the need to know information," Reid assured her as he and his mother led her up to the front door of the Danvers Manor.

Ever nodded her head and adjuster Declan on her hip, she put a small smile on her face as the door swung open, Caleb and an older looking woman answered the door. The woman was very beautiful, and looked a bit older than Meredith, but not by much.

"Come in, come in…." Caleb waved them in the light snowfall was blowing in to the warm house.

Evelyn gave them all a smile, her green eyes resting on the young girl and her son, "Mrs. Danver's this is my girlfriend Ever Carmichael and her son Declan…" Reid introduced politely.

"Ever, it's a pleasure to meet you dear," Evelyn smiled at her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well Mrs. Danvers…" Ever remarked shaking the woman's outstretched hand.

"Sarah's in the other room," Caleb offered pointing towards the living room.

"Thanks Caleb," Ever smiled before rushing off in to the other room with Declan.

"Oh my god, Ever!" Sarah grinned holding her hands out to the girl. "Look at you?" She stated.

"Look at you," She pointed out Sarah was wearing a very flattering rayon-jersey dress that clung to her curves, it was a deep teal color and she wore matching patent-leather teal shoes to match.

"So, how are things?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

"Good," She nodded looking over at Sarah. "It's different…" She stated softly referring to their powers.

"I heard you were a bit freaked out," Sarah made a face showing her concern.

"I was at first, but I think it was more because of everything else that was going on…" She stated. "And I walked in when Reid's eyes were black as coal…" She whispered.

"Well I guess all of us girlfriends know… except for Delilah…" Sarah shrugged.

"Only time will tell if she'll be the next one to know…" Ever stated pulling her son in to her lap.

"Here I'll take him, take off your coat and put your things down…" She motioned to the younger girl.

Ever smiled handing the boy over to the blonde and shrugging off her jacket, revealing the black satin top; Sarah's eyes surveyed over the girl and she smiled.

"You guys are early…" Caleb motioned to Reid who shrugged off his coat and hung it up.

"Mom couldn't wait…" Reid nodded his head in the direction of their mothers.

"It's good to see you two getting along…" Caleb sighed.

The door bell rung again and the two boys smirked heading to the door. They were greeted with Kate, Pogue and both of the Parrys. They greeted the group and directed Kate in the direction of Sarah and Ever and Pogue's parents, Wayne and Beatrice in to another room.

"Wow, the Garwins are on time?" Pogue laughed looking at Reid skeptically.

"My mom has been in a rather cheerful mood lately, I think it has something to do with Ever and Declan…" Reid shrugged his shoulders. The door bell rung again and the three boys answered the door, knowing that it would be Rosalind, Tyler and his new girlfriend, Delilah.

"I guess we're the last to arrive…" Tyler stated looking down at Delilah.

"Mrs. Simms…" Caleb smiled at Rosalind who smiled back.

"Caleb, Reid, Pogue… good to see you boys again…" She smiled back.

"Our mother's are in the kitchen…" Reid stated pointing towards the Danvers' kitchen.

Rosalind gave the boys a thankful nod before they escorted themselves and Delilah in to the living room with Kate, Sarah, Ever and Declan. The girls hugged Delilah glad she was back from her family vacation.

"We were starting to get a bit bored without you…" Kate grinned bumping her shoulder in to the girls.

"I know what you mean; spending time with my family is not something I wanted to do for half of my break…" She laughed.

"Did you have a good time?" Ever asked pulling Declan in to her lap, Reid taking a seat next to her.

"I did, it's a lot of fun, I was thinking we should all go skiing for a small senior trip…." She suggested.

"That's not a bad idea…" Caleb nodded pulling Sarah in to his lap.

The group talked for a bit before the adults came in to the room and ushered them in to eat. They all sat down and said some sort of grace. Ever was seating between Meredith and Reid and Meredith had graciously taken Declan and placed him in her lap.

Dinner was peaceful with a bit of small talk; afterwards everyone conjured in the living room, talking about old times, or what was going on lately in their lives. Tyler pulled Ever aside and glanced back in to the room; he hadn't told his mother about the other day and he really wanted Ever to be the one to say something to her.

"Ev," Tyler started.

"Tyler…" She looked at the boy, wondering what was plaguing him.

"I really think you should talk to my mom… about the other day…" He stated softly making sure no one else heard him.

"Tyler… I can't…" She whispered softly her eyes hardening a bit at the subject.

"Yes, you can… you have to let my mother help you…" He insisted.

"I'll will call her Thursday, ok?" She asked. "I don't want to ruin anyone's Christmas…"

"You promise?" He asked her.

"Cross my heart," She swore giving him a peck on the cheek.

"Hey now baby boy, don't be moving in on my girl…" Reid stated loudly seeing the small display of affection from his girlfriend to his best friend.

Everyone turned to look and Ever blushed, Tyler smirked at his best friend, tossing his arm carelessly around Ever's shoulders, "Don't be jealous Reid, you know she wants me…" He joked.

"That's alright; I've got Dee's number…" Reid pointed to the red head that was laughing at the group of friends.

"Thanks babe," Ever rolled her eyes walking back over to him, plopping down hard on the couch making him lunge forward a bit.

"You're welcome gorgeous…" He grinned giving his best friend a sideways glance as he took a seat next to Delilah.

They continued with their night, everyone parting shortly after. Reid grabbed on to Ever's free hand, she was holding Declan with the other. She hadn't expected them to be there this long, and Declan was worn out.

"So what were you and Tyler whispering about?" Reid asked pulling her closer to his warm body.

"He told me that I need to talk to his mom, about…" She trailed off.

"I see, and what did you say?" Reid asked raising an eyebrow.

"I told him I would call her first thing Thursday, I don't want to ruin anyone's Christmas." She shrugged placing the boy in his car seat.

"I'm going to hold you to that," Reid pointed at her taking the keys from his mother.

"Hold her to what?" Meredith asked getting in to the car.

"I'll explain it to you later mom, let's get home…" He grinned turning the car on and driving home.

Christmas morning rolled around and Ever was up bright and early with a rather cranky Declan. He had woken up at six am and was very fussy. She walked down to the kitchen balancing him and a new can of formula, she decided to fix him a warm bottle, though she was trying to get him away from the bottles, she needed something that would sooth him.

"What are you doing up already?" Reid's voice came from behind her. She couldn't quite pinpoint the tone he used with her, a bit of shock and surprise, with a bit of nervousness.

"Declan's been cranky since he woke up," She stated motioning to the small boy's reddening face.

"Here I'll take him," He offered blocking her view of the dining room.

"Reid what are you doing?" She asked him carefully.

"Nothing, go make his bottle…" He stated in a short tone.

"Demanding, much?" Ever asked raising an eyebrow as she began to heat the boy's water to feed him.

"Sorry, you're going to ruin my surprise if you ask too many questions or see too much…" He stated closing the door that went in to the dining room.

"Oh really?" She asked raising an eyebrow.

He just gave her a gentle smile and rocked the small boy in his arms. Ever laughed a sweet scent filled her nostrils as she walked by the oven; her green eyes darted around for the culprit, but didn't see any sort of food lingering around the kitchen.

"You cooked?" She asked her eyes wide, realization finally hitting her.

"You should have just stayed asleep," Reid pouted.

"Reid Garwin, my Reid Garwin cooked?" She asked in complete shock.

"Your Reid Garwin?" Reid smirked hearing this. "I like the sound of that…" He grinned pulling her to him with his free arm.

He kissed her softly, she hummed lightly as their lips met again, "I like the sound of it too," She agreed. She could smell food on him and grinned, "I still can't believe you cooked," She whispered.

"Mmmm, jut a little surprise for you and my mom…" He grinned taking the bottle from her bony grasp. "I'm going to get her now, no peaking…" He pointed at her with squinted eyes as he disappeared around the corner.

She hung back in the kitchen waiting anxiously for Reid to come back. Moments later he appeared with his mother in tow, she was holding on to Declan and rocking him back and forth, her eyes showed that she had been awake for sometime.

"So what's this all about?" Meredith asked looking at her son, who was holding on to her hand.

"Well, I decided I'd do something, out of character, and show the two women in my life how much they mean to me…" Reid stated grabbing Ever's free hand and pulling her through the door along with his mother. "So I made you both breakfast…" He grinned widely letting them both get a good look at the food swarming the dining room table.

"Reid," Ever looked at him clutching his hand in hers tightly. "This is marvelous…" She whispered.

"You cooked?" Meredith asked a bit bewildered. "My son cooked?" She asked her voice faltering.

"Just for you," He grinned at her proudly. "Sit, eat…" He instructed them. "Hand him over mom, He stated motioning for the small boy.

Meredith took a seat as she handed the boy over to her son; she looked over at Ever who was looking quite pleased. She watched her son place the boy in his high-chair. He took a seat in the middle of the two women and started serving them both.

"Wow," Meredith sighed heavily. "This is beyond a Merry Christmas Reid…" She told him putting her hands together, tears forming in her crystal blue eyes.

Reid grinned inwardly as they sat and ate in silence. He ushered them in to the living room, using his powers to clean up his mess, which he received an elbow in the gut from his girlfriend on that note.

He pointed to the tree which had piles of presents waiting under it for the bunch. They all sat around and exchanged gifts; the majority of the gifts were from Meredith to Reid, Ever and Declan. Ever fell in to tears opening up several of the presents, she hadn't had a Christmas in years, and to share one with her boyfriend, her son and her boyfriend's mother was something she would never forget.

"Thank you," She whispered hugging Meredith.

Meredith was a bit taken back by her sudden affection, but wrapped her arms around the young girl. She pulled her away at arms length and smiled.

"You're like the daughter that I never had…" She murmured hugging the girl again.

Ever smiled feeling the tears in her eyes as she sat back down next to Reid who was helping Declan open yet another toy. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand; Reid leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"So where is my present?" Reid asked looking at his girlfriend expectantly.

"You want it now?" She asked him carefully.

"Yes ma'am… we'll exchange at the same time…" He stated getting up from his position on the floor.

"Alright," She grinned reaching behind the tree and taking out two small boxes. "This is for you," She handed a slender box to Meredith.

"Ever, you didn't have to get me anything…" She mused taking the box in her possession.

"It's not much, just a little something I saw and it made me think of you…" She grinned looking up at the older woman.

Meredith smiled as she opened up the gift; she held the jewelry box in her grasp, opening the top slowly. She revealed an exquisite looking broche. It was finally cut in a unique shape with sapphires, rubies, and emeralds all throughout the piece.

"Wow, Ever…" Meredith whispered admiring the small piece in her hands. "This is, beautiful…" She felt tears in her eyes. "My mother, she had a broche just like this one…" She smiled softly holding the broche close to her chest.

She enveloped the girl in a tight hug as Reid came back in to the room.

"What's going on here?" He asked with a huge grin on his face.

"Look at this broche that Ever bought me," Meredith smiled at her son. "Isn't it beautiful?' She asked.

"Wow," Reid got close enough to examine the small pendant. He took it from his mother and inspected it. "Look it even has your initials on it mom…" He pointed to the calligraphy on the back; it had an M.G.G. on the back of it. Meredith's name was in fact, after marrying Reid's father, Meredith Greer Garwin.

Tears began to form in Meredith's eyes as she took the pendant from her son and looked at the piece again, "This was my mother's…" She whispered softly looking at Ever. "Where?" She couldn't even get her question out.

"I found it in a local antique shop," Ever whispered looking up at the older woman.

"My mother, when I was a little girl, her house was ransacked, and they took all of my mother's jewelry. I always remembered her wearing this broche…" Meredith smiled. "She wore it to my father's funeral…" She remembered.

"Grandma Greer's initials were the same as yours?" Reid asked skeptically. "That's odd…" He gave Ever a small smile.

"Marion Genevieve Greer." Meredith nodded her head wiping the tears form her eyes. "This is probably the best Christmas present I could ask for…" She stated smiling as she pinned the broche to her scarf.

Ever couldn't find anything to say, she just continued to smile and handed Reid his present, it was a small box that was wrapped with a gorgeous gold bow on top. She smiled brightly as he handed her a similar looking box. She grinned as they opened their present simultaneously.

She opened her box and glanced down seeing a pair of 1 carat diamond earrings staring back at her. She looked up at Reid and he had just opened his present. She grinned seeing the look on his face.

She pulled the small piece of platinum out and put it in his view, he could see in the inside of the platinum band were the words 'Knight in Shining Armor'. She slid the ring on Reid's right ring finger and it was a perfect fit.

"I'm a good guesser…" She laughed placing a kiss on his lips.

"And not to be out done," Reid stated pulling another box from behind his back.

"Reid the earrings were enough…" She stated looking back at the diamond earrings in her lap.

"Just be quiet and open it…" He laughed looking over at his mother who was beaming still.

Ever shook her head at her boyfriend's demands and did as he asked. She zipped her lips and opened the package; she opened the small jewelry box and gawked at the piece inside. She glanced at it nervously feeling a lump forming in her throat.

"Reid," She whispered looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

"It's a past, present, future ring…" He stated looking her in the eye. "It's kind of like a promise ring of sorts…" He told her.

"Reid I can't…" She shook her head pushing the ring back to him.

"Just be quiet and put it on…" He shook his head taking the ring out of the box and lifting her left hand up, and slipping the gold ring on to her ring finger.

She looked down at her hand and smile, "This is really too much" She told him shaking her head.

"Nothing is too much for you…" He smirked at her.

She rolled her eyes and sighed, looking from her boyfriend, to her son, to her boyfriend's mother. She was right this was the best Christmas ever.

Please remember to R&R!